FEMA Reminds Survivors: One Call Gets You In

COLUMBIA, S.C. –Survivors of South Carolina flooding Oct. 1-23 can get help with one phone call.

Call the Federal Emergency Management Agency helpline at 800-621-3362 for information about many federal disaster assistance-related matters. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Survivors who use TTY may call 800-462-7585; those who use 711/VRS can call 800-621-3362. They can also visit www.disasterassistance.gov.

During the holiday period, FEMA encourages residents to assist South Carolina recovery by passing along to those affected by storms and flooding the various ways the helpline can assist them. They can:

• Register for federal disaster assistance by the Friday, Dec. 4 deadline. FEMA allows one registration per household. Households should register only once.

• Ask questions about FEMA decision letters.

• Learn how to appeal FEMA decision letters. All applicants may appeal.

• Inquire about the status of a registration.

• Provide change of address, telephone and bank account numbers and insurance information to avoid disaster assistance processing delays.

• Receive information about FEMA home inspections.

• Get questions answered about federal disaster assistance and the application process.

Applicants should have their nine-digit FEMA registration number available if they want to discuss their application.

Survivors should have the following information before registering:

• Date of loss

• Social Security number

• Current mailing address and damaged home address, including Zip Codes

• Telephone numbers

• Names of household members at the time of the disaster

• Insurance information

• Total gross income for the household

• Bank account numbers if they want to have money deposited directly if eligible

• Loss descriptions

For the latest information on South Carolina flood recovery operations, visit scemd.org and fema.gov/disaster/4241.